Vintage Arched Screen Door Corner Shelves 

We decided to put this in our second home. Dimensions: Height 83 inches, Width of the two sides 18 inches, Center of shelves sit out about 15 inches from corner, Space between shelves 14.25 inches, Weight 40 pounds. An eye-catching storage option combining natural wood and perforated steel sheet metal. Great for a living room, dining room, den, library, office, or bedroom, to display knickknacks, collectibles, books, dishes, or any medium or smallish items. Was asking $250.

The Story

I found this pair of doors in an alley a couple of blocks from both the National Cathedral and the Naval Observatory, in the Massachusetts Heights neighborhood of D.C. They were clearly quite old, with thick paint peeling from years of exposure to the elements. I removed the screens, and scraped, stripped, and sanded away the paint. In doing so, I uncovered a maker’s mark identifying the doors with the old Woodward and Lothrop company, known for the their now-defunct department stores in and around D.C. I don’t know how old the doors are, but probably many decades. I very quickly landed on the idea of a corner shelving unit. I ordered the decorative perforated sheet metal online from McNichols, cut it to size by hand, and attached the pieces to the four openings with numerous heavy-duty staples. I anchored the two doors together at a right angle with screws. I used newly purchased pine boards to create the shelves, cutting the arc to matches the one on the top of the doors. I used a router on the front edge of the shelves to create a more traditional look. I also used paint techniques and sanding to make the shelves match the variable tone and natural discoloration of the doors. I attached them with screws through the back of the doors. I really love and am especially proud of the final product. I wish I had room in my house to keep it, but I don’t, so now you have chance to buy it for your home.

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